Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Education Youth Programs topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Hardin County AgriLife extension highlights 4‑H achievements, new adult programming and community workshops
Summary
Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service — Hardin County presented an annual report on youth 4‑H achievements, new community and adult programs including a pesticide CEU, robotics teams funded by a Texas 4‑H grant, natural-resource education awards, and a landowner workshop attended by about 60 people.
Katie Pace, Hardin County AgriLife extension agent, presented an annual update to the Hardin County Commissioners Court on Sept. 23 covering 4‑H youth accomplishments, adult programming and outreach activities.
Pace introduced several youth members who described recent accomplishments: Sadie Friesmeyer (livestock and poultry projects; livestock judging second-place team at the South Texas State Fair), Audrey Moody (Hardin‑Jefferson High School senior and Texas 4‑H equine ambassador who participated in the regional program and an advocacy academy), and Allen Jones (vice president of the 4‑H homeschool club; first-place in a district talent show and robotics competition participation).
Pace told the court the county’s first robotics team was launched this year after a Texas 4‑H grant purchased robot kits; two teams attended district competition and recent donations allowed expansion. On the adult side, the extension launched a certified applicator academy — a five‑hour continuing education unit (CEU) for pesticide license renewal — conducted with neighboring counties and held locally with more than 40 attendees. The extension also ran a “Homemade in Hardin County” series on cottage food laws and water‑bath canning.
Pace reported the county’s natural‑resource education program won the state association’s Search for Excellence award in environmental forestry and natural‑resource education (its second such award since 2023). The program includes the East Texas Wildlife Expo and ongoing hunter‑education offerings. Pace also described a landowner workshop run with the Texas A&M Forestry Service at the Silsbee Volunteer Fire Department; she said roughly 60 people attended and the workshop focused on management goals and local resources, with participation from local groups such as Sephlo (as referenced in the presentation).
Commissioners thanked Pace and the youth participants; no formal court action was required for the presentation.
